Biodiversity: should a national science strategy be established?

An information paper prepared for the

Ministry of Research, Science and Technology

by

Colin L O'Loughlin

Science Consultant, Wellington, NZ

and

Tony Warrington

Presearch Consultants Limited, Wellington, NZ

October 1996

Ministry of Research, Science and Technology

Te Manatu Putaiao

Report No: 54

This report was prepared by the above under contract to the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and are not necessarily supported by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

This independent report was commissioned by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology to investigate and advise on the appropriateness of a National Science Strategy (NSS) for Biodiversity. It was completed in June 1996 and does not take into account events which have occurred since. The final decision on whether or not to establish an NSS for Biodiversity will be made by the Minister of Research, Science and Technology.

Contents

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Process

1.3 Strategic Context for Establishing a NSS for Biodiversity

2.0 Scope of biodiversity

2.1 Range of Opinions about Scope

2.2 Conclusions about the Scope of a NSS for Biodiversity

3.0 Current research on biodiversity in New Zealand

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Coverage and Gaps

3.3 Summary

4.0 Funding sources and levels for biodiversity research including aspects of monitoring and the maintenance of significant databases and collections

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Marsden Fund

4.3 Public Good Science Fund

4.4 New Zealand Lottery Grants Board

4.5 Department of Conservation

4.6 Ministry of Agriculture (Policy Division)

4.7 Ministry of Forestry

4.8 AGMARDT Grants

4.9 Post Doctoral Research Fellowships

4.10 New Zealand Science and Technology Teacher Fellowships

4.11 Graduate Research in Industry Fellowships

4.12 Museums

4.13 University Faculty Research

4.14 Summary of Annual Funding Sources and Levels for Biodiversity Research 22

5.0 International context and commitments to biodiversity by New Zealand

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Convention on Biological Diversity

5.3 Valdivia Declaration (Valdivia Group)

5.4 Food and Agriculture Organisation Commission (FAO)

5.5 Plant Variety Rights and UPOV

5.6 Other International Conventions relevant to aspects of Biodiversity

5.7 International Science Commitments, Shared Programmes, andScientist Networks 29

6.0 New Zealand legislation which is important for biodiversity, and some responsibilities associated with the legislation

6.1 Resource Management Act 1991

6.2 Conservation Act 1987 and its Amendments

6.3 Conservation Law Reform Act 1990

6.4 Biosecurity Act 1993

6.5 Fisheries Act 1983

6.6 Forests Amendment Act 1993

6.7 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

6.8 National Parks Act 1980

6.9 Marine Reserves Act 1971

6.10 Marine Mammal Protection Act 1978

6.11 Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Act 1977

6.12 Native Plants Protection Act 1934

6.13 Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989

6.14 Wild Animal Control Act 1977

6.15 Plant Variety Rights Act 1987

6.16 Treaty of Waitangi and Claims to the Waitangi Tribunal

7.0 Key elements of a future NSS for biodiversity

7.1 Rationale Underpinning the NSS Concept

7.2 Identification of Gaps in the Research Programme and Research Priority Setting

7.3 Coordination of Research Efforts among Universities, Museums, CRIs, Private Sector, Local Authorities and Government Departments

7.4 Management of Biodiversity Information

7.5 Surveys and Monitoring of Biodiversity

7.6 Promoting Dissemination of Biodiversity Information in the New Zealand Community

7.7 Strengthening the Links between Research providers and Users of Research Results

7.8 Provision of Expert Advice to Government on New Zealand and International Biodiversity Issues and Progress with the Science Programme

7.9 Revision of the Biodiversity Research Programme

7.10 Monitoring Progress with Implementation of Priority Research 39

7.11 Partnership with Maori

7.12 Coverage and Composition of any NSS Committee

8.0 Relationships between the National Biodiversity Strategy and any National Science Strategy to be established for biodiversity

8.1 Introduction

8.2 DoC's Submission

8.3 Other's Views

8.4 Government's Green Package (May 1996)

8.5 Relationship Issues for Strategies

8.6 Extent of Research Component in Strategy

8.7 Timing and Integration Issues and Provisions for a NSS for Biodiversity

8.8 Officials Coordinating Committee for Biodiversity

9.0 Relationship to other existing and planned National Science Strategies

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Biodiversity Science Linkages with the NSS for Climate Change 46

9.3 Biodiversity Science Linkages with the NSS for Possum/Tb Control

9.4 Biodiversity Science Linkages with the NSS for Sustainable Land Management

9.5 Biodiversity Science Linkages with a NSS for Marine Sciences 47

9.6 Implications for a NSS for Biodiversity

9.7 Relationships of various National Science Strategy Areas

10.0 Conclusion

10.1 Assessment of whether Biodiversity Research meets the qualifying criteria for a NSS

Conclusion One

10.2 Influence of International Agreements and New Zealand Legislation

Conclusion Two

10.3 Influence of Scope of Biodiversity

Conclusion Three

10.4 Influence of Other National Science Strategies

Conclusion Four

10.5 Range of Models or Structures which could be used to develop a Strategy to Coordinate, Prioritise and Promote Biodiversity Research

Conclusion Five

Conclusion Six

Conclusion Seven

10.6 Recommendation

APPENDICES

Appendix I Invitations for Submissions on Biodiversity

Appendix II List of Written Submissions Received

Appendix III Programme of Appointments, Interviews and Discussions

Appendix IV Bibliography and/or References

Appendix V Terms of Reference